\u201cAnd to New Zealand, he was a leader who believed in the strength of our democracy, the promise of fairness, and the dignity of service.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOn behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, I extend our deepest condolences to Mr Bolger\u2019s wife Joan, his children and grandchildren, and all those who knew and loved him.<\/p>\n
\u201cJim Bolger served with integrity and purpose. He leaves behind a legacy that will be studied, debated, and respected for generations.\u201d<\/p>\n
NZFirst leader Winston Peters said Bolger was a \u201cproud, proud New Zealander who served his country as Prime Minister during a difficult period of serious transition in our politics\u201d. <\/p>\n
Peters and Bolger led New Zealand\u2019s first MMP Government from 1996 onwards, a coalition between NZ First and National.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the leader of Mr Bolger\u2019s coalition partner, I can attest he was a man of his word. He did what he said he would do – and we ran our Coalition Government with integrity, focus and a fidelity to New Zealanders who had delivered a majority to our two political parties.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr Bolger should be remembered warmly as a New Zealander who devoted his life to our great country.<\/p>\n
James Brendan Bolger was born in \u014cpunake, Taranaki, in 1935 – the son of Irish immigrants.<\/p>\n
He left \u014cpunake High School at just 15 to work on the family farm, later farming with Joan in Rahotu and Te K\u016biti before entering politics. <\/p>\n
In 1990 Bolger led the National Party<\/a> to a landslide victory – the largest in its history – to become the country\u2019s 35th Prime Minister for seven years until 1997.<\/p>\n He oversaw the first of many Treaty of Waitangi settlements<\/a>, later saying his Irish ancestry had helped him to engage emotionally with M\u0101ori.<\/p>\n During his second term in office, Bolger presided over electoral reform, including the introduction of the MMP electoral system in 1996. <\/p>\nJim Bolger being welcomed on to Turangawaewae Marae in 2006 by Tommy Moana for the tangi of Te Arikinui Dame Te Ataairangikaahu. Photo \/ Peter Drury<\/p>\n